A key, perhaps the key, to Pat Riley's plan to bridge the Heat's growth from last season's resurrection to next summer's free agency is the contribution of Jermaine O'Neal this coming season.

O'Neal, who has been a regular in the weight room and on the court at AmericanAirlines Arena the past two months, showing up about four times a week, is poised to take the next step, with eight weeks of work planned with noted Chicago trainer Tim Grover. Yes, the same Tim Grover who last summer so reinvigorated Dwyane Wade.

While appearances can be deceiving, O'Neal has impressed those in the weight room with his physique and appearance. Granted, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll ever be able to again explode off both knees.